We advise that your child doesn't come to playgroup in their best clothes, as we like to have lots of messy fun - the best way to learn through play, which may result in the odd item needing a wash after the session. Please name your Childs belongings to avoid confusion. Each child has a named peg, art folder and a name card. Next to their name is a picture, starting with the same letter as their name, so that they can all learn to recognise their own peg, folder, and card.

We also encourage the children to bring an item each day for show and tell. We believe that show and tell helps to build a child’s confidence and encourages them to talk within a group.

Registered playleaders run the sessions with one parent helper. We provide the ratio of 1 adult to 5 children.

Outings

We believe that outings can provide many additional learning opportunities that are not always available in the Playgroup environment, as well as being fun! Outings may be within the local community or further afield; for example, we have taken the bus into Aberdeen to see a show at the Lemon Tree, we have been to the beach, to the farm at Newton Dee and to visit Peterculter playgroup.

We also take the children on more spontaneous outings when we can. The outing may fit in with the group’s curriculum plan, may be in response to a particular set of conditions (such as a sunny day!), or it could be in response to something initiated by the children. Recently, we have picked brambles locally and been for a muddy nature walk along the Old Deeside Line. Parents/carers who enrol their children with us are asked to sign an open-ended permission form allowing staff to take their child on short spontaneous walks. In all cases, a risk assessment will be carried out before leaving the building. You will be informed that a spontaneous outing is going to take place when you drop your child off at the start of that day’s session.

Keeping in Touch

We encourage parents and carers to be actively involved with the Playgroup and we will keep you regularly informed of your child’s progress and Playgroup events. Your child will be assigned a key worker who will oversee their progress at the Playgroup and maintain a record of their time at Playgroup, known as their Learning Journey. You are also welcome to add to their Learning Journey at any time, with photographs, observations, drawings or anything else that shows their progress and their journey. Please also feel free to talk to any member of staff at any time if you have any issues you wish to discuss, not only your child's keyworker.